Aaron Pagniano https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3142582/ talks about their new micro-budget feature film "It Needs Eyes" and they share secrets to overcoming hurdles when you don’t have a ton of money to play with.

Matt and Oren get a lot of info, like how much money you really net when you raise, say $60,000 on Kickstarter. As well as the secret to affording 35 mm film stock and a Panavision when your budget is limited.

Aaron’s big on building a crew that is excited to work within the budget. And they’ve learned a lot about writing the script to your budget and skillset. And if you’re trying to get your film distributed, Aaron has some insight into shady sales agents and distribution companies and all the ways they will get your film in and cheat you out of the upside and reward.

Find Aaron at https://www.formidablefilefilms.com/ and on IG @formidablefilefilms

Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: Chris Gethard on "The Vulture" podcast and the nature of DIY and punk rock ethics in comedy, and there's no longer a middle class of comedy.

Oren's Endorsement: The Original Proper Popper Silicone Microwave Bowl and "The Pitt" on HBO

Aaron's Endorsement: Colorado Gators & Reptile Park https://www.coloradofunguide.com/colorado-gators-reptile-park/

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As directors, we live a very atypical work life. And Carlyn joins Oren and Matt to clear the air about some frustrations they all share about producers and crew who just aren’t meeting the grade.

In any given year, a working director will interview for 150 commercial opportunities and land 20 or so. So while the rest of the world applies for 150 jobs and gets scores of interviews, and lands a few offers for employment for several years, a director interviews a ton to get 20 jobs that maybe last 1 week each.

So it’s all about client service. Getting asked back (i.e. repeat business). Not getting bogged down fixing yesterday’s shoot, and having it impact the next pitch you’re working. And, doing the little things that make clients really enjoy working with you.

With stiff competition from other directors, who you choose to be on your team is critical to creating work you feel good about and making sure there’s time to do the job 100% awesome.

So what about those people you’ve known forever, but just aren’t bringing the level of work you’ve come to expect from them – whether DP, cam op, production designer, producer, or even PA? How do you let them know? You certainly don’t want to be a d**k, and you’re aware of their feelings, but what’s the best way to get the truth in the air? And how do you know when to move or split up?

This episode is an open door on the complaining that’s usually private. And it’s also the episode with solutions for you as a director, producer, DP, or any crew member on set or off.

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Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: Chloe Zhao "Hamnet" Dance Tapes

Oren's Endorsement: The Original Proper Popper Silicone Microwave Bowl

Carlyn's Endorsement: The Peanut Ball spine massager. And Fage Greek Yogurt with grapefruit, pistachios, and a touch of flake salt.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt and Oren spend some time figuring out how to be a normal human being in a world where there’s so much that isn’t normal anymore. We’re way past the new normal!!

Like, can you really pitch a potential client on how much you love their toilet paper while your family can’t travel and worry about the next round of incoming missiles?

OK, as a commercial director or a filmmaker in general, you know this time of year is slow. Heck, it’s tough enough as it is. Never mind the endless opportunities to accidentally getting caught in the doom scroll of seeing how much everyone else is on set when it seems like all your opportunities are on hold.

It’s a weird time, Matt points out. Like, there are families of actors raising money on GoFundMe. And these people had careers on shows and films where, it used to be, the residuals were to die for. But now in 2026, who is making money in the business of LA and Hollywood?

It seems you’re either working your a** off, or marketing yourself to get the next gig. (read as… working your a** off in a non-fun way). And at the end of the day, is there ever time to let your brain work as it should (or rather rest as it should), so you can truly be creative??!

If you’re looking for ways to stay inspired, creatively, or for energy to simply keep in the game, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

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Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: In Gmail, in the url replace "inbox" with "sub" and you can see all the bulk mail you are signed up for.

Oren's Endorsement: Trader Joe's Thai Style Yellow Curry Potato Chips.

"Night of the Seven Kingdoms", part of the Game of Thrones world, and sequel to the "House of the Dragon"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.